Outboard motor pump



.1. A. MOINTOSH OUTBOARD MOTOR PUMP Aug. 19, 1958 2,847,966

Filed Dec. 14, 1955 2 Sheets$heet 1 Aug. 19, 1958 J. A. MOINTOSH2,847,956

OUTBOARD MOTOR PUMP Filed Dec. 14, 1955 2' Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.JIMi-S' A. M //V7'0J// B 3 Y /MM W WM United States Patent OfiFicePatented Aug. 19, 1958 OUTBOARD MOTOR PUMP James A. McIntosh, Detroit,Mich. Application December 14, 1955, Serial No. 553,084 20 Claims. (Cl.115-17) This invention relates to outboard motors such as are used forpropelling boats and particularly to means for converting such anoutboard motor into a water pump.

Outboard motors which are used to propel boats generally are mounted onthe side of boats and comprise a small internal combustion engine and ahousing which is adapted to project over the side of the boat downwardlyinto the Water and enclose the driving connections to a propellermounted on a generally horizontal shaft in the lower part of thehousing. The propeller includes a hub and blades projecting radiallytherefrom. The blades have a configuration such that rotation of thepropeller produces a propelling force on the motor normal to the planeof rotation of the propeller. Such motors often include an exhaust tubewhich generally projects downwardly into the water and to the rear ofthe propeller.

It is an object of this invention to provide a mechanism for convertingsuch an outboard motor to use as a water pump.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such means which maybe readily mounted and removed from the outboard motor.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such a means whichmay be mounted and dismounted from the outboard motor withoutdisassembly of the motor.

Basically, the invention comprises providing a housing surrounding thepath of rotation of the propeller, and providing an inlet to saidhousing adjacent the axis of the propeller. In addition, the housingincludes an outlet along the periphery thereof. When the housing issubmerged in water and the internal combustion engine is operated torotate the propeller, water is drawn in through the axial inlet anddischarged out of the peripheral outlet at a high pressure.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is an elevational view of an outboard motor embodying theinvention.

Fig. 2 is a part sectional view on an enlarged scale of one form of theinvention, a portion of the outboard motor being shown in dotted lines.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the same.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line 4-4 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is an end elevational view.

Fig. 6 is an end elevational view of a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 7-7 in Fig. 6.

As shown in Fig. 1, an outboard motor 10 comprises a small internalcombustion engine 11 and a drive housing 12 projecting downwardly fromthe engine 11 and enclosing driving connections to a propeller 13mounted on a short shaft 15 at the lower end of the housing 12. Theshaft 15 on which the propeller 13 is mounted is operatively connectedto the engine 11 by driving connections (not shown) enclosed in thedrive housing 12. The propeller includes a hub 16 and blades 17projecting radially therefrom. The configuration of the blades is such,as well known in the art, that rotation of the prope1- ler produces apropelling force on the motor normal to the plane of rotation of thepropeller. The portion 14 of the drive housing 12 into which the shaft15 projects is generally elliptical. The engine also usually includes anexhaust tube 18 which is connected to the engine 11 and directs theexhaust gases to one side of the plane of rotation of the propeller 13.The engine is provided with a mounting bracket 19 whereby it may beattached to the side of a boat or the like with the housing 12projecting downwardly into the water so that the propeller 13 and theend of the exhaust tube 16 are submerged in the water.

When the engine is operated to rotate the propeller 13, a thrust isprovided such that the engine and, in turn, the boat to which it isattached, is propelled in a direction perpendicular to the plane ofrotation of the propeller 13. The exhaust gases are directed rearwardlyof the direction of movement by the exhaust tube 18.

The aforementioned construction is typical of outboard motors which arewell known in the art.

My invention comprises adapting such an outboard motor so that it may bereadily used as a pump for pumping water.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the invention generally comprises providing apump housing 20 around and in close proximity with the propeller 13. Thepump housing 20 consists of two complementary halves 21 and 22 whichsubstantially encase and enclose the entire path of rotation of thepropeller 13. As shown in Fig. 2, the outer half 21 of the pump housing20 comprises a generally fiat central portion 23 extending substantiallyparallel to the plane of rotation of the propeller 13 and a curvedperipheral portion 24 having a circumferential lip 25. The half 21 alsois provided with an opening 26 positioned centrally of the portion 23adjacent the hub 14 of the propeller 13. The inner half 22 of the pumphousing 20 comprises two complementary sections 27, 28 which interengageat overlapping portions 30, 31 to form a frusto-conical ring. Thesections 27, 28 are provided with an inwardly turned rim 29 at the outerperiphery thereof which engages with the lip 25 of the outer half 21.

The pump housing 20 is mounted in fixed position relative to the drivehousing 12 of the outboard motor by means of a bracket 32 removablyconnected to the housing 12 and the pump housing 20.

The bracket 32 comprises complementary bracket sections 33, 34 adaptedto engage the generally elliptical portion of the driving housing 12.The bracket sections 33, 34 are generally curved to conform to the shapeof the elliptical portions and include complementary engaging portions35, 36 at one end thereof and spaced collars 37, 38 flaring outwardly atthe other end thereof. The collars 37, 38 are provided with inwardlyturned flanges 39 at the periphery thereof which engage with and holdthe sections 27, 28 of inner half 22 of the pump housing 20. The bracketsections 33, 34 are held in position, and thereby maintain the pumphousing 20 in position, by means of bolts 40 passing through shortupstanding Walls 41, 42 on the sections 33, 34, respectively. Thebracket sections 33, 34 are also provided with openings 43, 44,respectively, adjacent the spaced collars 37, 38, which serve as inletsin order that the water may enter the pump housing 20. The portions ofthe brackets between the openings 43, 44 form inwardly directed tabs 46,47 which engage the driving housing 12 and maintain the pump housing 20in axial alignment with the propeller shaft 15. The pump housing 20 isalso provided with an outlet 45 at the periphery thereof along thecurved portion 24 of the outer path 21. This outlet 45 maybe threaded sothat a hose may be readily attached or detached thereto.

In operation, with the pump housing 20 in position, the motor and pumphousing are submerged in water. When the internal combustion engine ofthe outboard motor is operated and the propeller 13 is rotated waterwill be drawn into the housing through the inlets 43, 44 andforcedoutwardly under pressure through the outlet 45. The opening 26 in theouter half 21 of the pump housing 20 may also serve as an inlet. Theprovision of the opening 26 prevents any bearing contact of the hub 14on the housing.

As an example of the efficiency of the pumping operation, I have forceda stream of water eighty feet into the air by using an outboard motorhaving a nine inch propeller and operated at full load speed of 2800 R.P. M.

Although I do not wish to be bound by the theory involved, I believethat the pressure with which the water is forced outof the outlet 45 isproduced by the combined thrust and centrifugal action of the propelleron the water. The pumping action which results is greater than thepumping action produced by a pump of similar size which operates on acentrifugal principle or a pump of similar size which operates on thewater wheel principle.

The housing 20 and bracket 32 may be economically and easilymanufactured by stamping relatively thin sheet metal.

A modified form of the invention is shown in Figs. 7 and 8 wherein thepump housing 50 comprises an outer half 51 and an inner half 52 havingthe same general configuration when in assembled position as the path ofrevolution of the propeller 13. In this form of the invention, the innerhalf 52 is adapted to be mounted on the housing 12 after removal of thepropeller. The propeller is then again mounted in position and the outerhalf 51 brought into complementary relationship with the inner half 52and attached thereto by bolts 54 passing through peripheral flanges 55,56 in the halves 51, 52, respectively. The inlet to the housing isprovided by openings 57 adjacent the hub of the propeller. The outlet isformed along the periphery of the housing by complementary grooves 58,59 which form an outlet opening when the halves 51, 52 are incomplementary assembled relationship.

The housing 50 may be made by casting each half thereof separately.

It can thus be seen that I have provided means for readily converting anoutboard motor to use for pumping water which means can be easilymounted or removed from the outboard motor.

I claim:

1. In an outboard motor adapted to be mounted on the side of a boat orthe like and comprising a small internal combustion engine, a housingprojecting downwardly from said engine when the engine is mounted on theboat, a propeller mounted on the lower end of the housing and includinga hub and vanes projecting generally radially outwardly from the hub,the configuration of said vanes being such that rotation of thepropeller causes the boat to be propelled along the water, said enginehaving an exhaust pipe directing the exhaust gases of combustion towardone side of the plane of rotation of the propeller, the combinationcomprising a pump housing surrounding the propeller and having aconfiguration similar to the solid of revolution generated by therotation of said propeller, said housing being substantially imperforateand having an inlet opening'generally axially of said propeller on theside of said propeller opposite said exhaust pipe, an outlet openingalong the periphery of said housing, and an opening adjacent said hub onthe side of said housing opposite said inlet opening, and means formounting and supporting said housing in position surrounding saidpropeller, whereby when the housing is mounted and supported in positionand the propeller is rotated, the boat remains stationary in the waterand water is pumped through said inlet opening into said housing and outof said outlet opening.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for mountingcomprises a bracket engaging said engine housing and supporting saidpump housing.

3. The combination set forth in claim 2 wherein said bracket comprisescomplementary halves surrounding said engine housing and adapted tosupport said pump hous- 4. In an outboard motor adapted to be mounted onthe side of a .boat or the like and comprising a small internalcombustion engine, a housing projecting downwardly from said engine whenthe engine is mounted on the boat, a propeller mounted on the lower endof the housing and including a hub and vanes projecting generallyradially outwardly from the hub, the configuration of said vanes beingsuch that rotation of the propeller causes the boat to be propelledalong the water, said engine having an exhaust pipe directing theexhaust gases of combustion toward one side of the plane of rotation ofthe propeller, the combination comprising a pump housing surrounding thepropeller, said housing comprising complementary halves, one said halfcomprising a generally fiat portion and a curved peripheral portion andhaving an opening located generally centrally thereof, the other saidhalf comprising a multiplicity of curved sections which interengage toform a frusto-conical surface, said halves having interengaging surfacesto thereby define a hollow housing having a configuration similar to thesolid of revolution generated by the rotation of the propeller, theinnermost edge of said half which defines a frustoconical surface beingspaced from the propeller such as to provide an inlet opening, and abracket for mounting said pump housing on the drive housing of theengine.

5. The combination set forth in claim 4 wherein said drive housing ofthe engine includes generally elliptically curved surfaces adjacent thepropeller, said bracket comprising complementary elliptical sectionsadapted to contact said elliptically curved surfaces of the drivehousing.

6. The combination set forth in claim 5 wherein said bracket and saidhousing are formed with interengaging surfaces.

7. In an outboard motor adapted to be mounted on the side of a boat orthe like and comprising a small internal combustion engine, a housingprojecting downwardly from said engine when the engine is mounted on theboat, a propeller mounted on the lower end of the housing and includinga hub and vanes projecting generally radially outwardly from the hub,the configuration of said vanes being such that rotation ofv thepropeller causes the boat to be propelled along the water, said enginehaving an exhaust pipe directing the exhaust gases of combustion towardone side of the plane of rotation of the propeller, the combinationcomprising a pump housing surrounding the propeller, said housing E671-prising complementary halves, one said half comprising a generally fiatportion and a curved peripheral portion and having an opening locatedgenerally centrally thereof, the other said half comprising amultiplicity of curved sections which interengage to form afrusto-conical surface, said halves having interengaging surfaces tothereby define a hollow housing having a configuration similar to thesolid of revolution generated by the rotation of the propeller, theinnermost edge of said half which defines a frusto-conical surface beingspaced from the propeller such as to provide an inlet opening, saidouter half having a peripheral lip extending generally radiallyoutwardly from the curved peripheral portion, and said curved sectionswhich form the inner half being provided with an inwardly turned rimadapted to engage the lip on said outer half, and a bracket for mountingsaid pump housing on the drive housing of the engine.

8. The combination set forth in claim 7 wherein said bracket comprisescomplementary half sections adapted to engage said drive housing.

9. The combination set forth in claim 8 wherein said curved sections ofthe inner half are formed with a peripheral lip extending radiallyoutwardly from the innermost portion thereof and said bracket sectionsare formed with inwardly turned flanges which engage with said lip onsaid inner half sections to support said pump housing in proper spacedrelationship with said propeller.

10. The combination set forth in claim 9 wherein said bracket sectionsare provided with means for clamping said sections in position on saiddrive housing.

11. The combination set forth in claim 10 wherein said brackets areprovided with inlet openings adjacent said pump housing.

12. The combination set forth in claim 10 wherein each said bracketsection comprises a generally elliptically curved section, complementaryengaging portions at one end thereof and a housing engaging portions atthe other end thereof.

13. In an outboard motor adapted to be mounted on the side of a boat orthe like and comprising a small internal combustion engine, a housingprojecting downwardly from said engine when the engine is mounted on theboat, a propeller mounted on the lower end of the housing and includinga hub and vanes projecting generally radially outward from the hub, theconfiguration of said vanes being such that rotation of the propellercauses the boat to be propelled along the water, the combinationcomprising a pump housing surrounding the propeller and having aconfiguration similar to the solid of revolution generated by therotation of said propeller, said housing being substantially imperforateand having an inlet opening generally axially of said propeller, anoutlet opening along the periphery of said housing, and means for'mounting and supporting said housing in position surrounding saidpropeller, whereby when the housing is mounted and supported in positionand the propeller is rotated, the boat remains stationary in the waterand water is pumped through said inlet opening into said housing and outof said outlet opening.

14. In an outboard motor adapted to be mounted on the side of a boat orthe like and comprising a small internal combustion engine, a housingprojecting downwardly from said engine when the engine is mounted on theboat, a propeller mounted on the lower end of the housing and includinga hub and vanes projecting generally radially outwardly from the hub,the configuration of said vanes being such that rotation of thepropeller causes the boat to be propelled along the water, thecombination comprising a pump housing surrounding the propeller, saidhousing comprising complementary halves, one said half comprising agenerally flat portion and a curved peripheral portion and having anopening located generally centrally thereof, the other said halfcomprising a multiplicity of curved sections which interengage to form afrusto-conical surface, said halves having interengaging surfaces tothereby define a hollow housing having a configuration similar to thesolid of revolution generated by the rotation of the propeller, theinnermost edge of said half which defines a frusto-conical surface beingspaced from the propeller such as to provide an inlet opening, and abracket for mounting said pump housing on the drive housing of theengine.

15. In an outboard motor adapted to be mounted on the side of a boat orthe like and comprising a small internal combustion engine, a housingprojecting downwardly from said engine when the engine is mounted on theboat, a propeller mounted on the lower end of the housing and includinga hub and vanes projecting generally radially outwardly from the hub,the configuration of said vanes being such that rotation of thepropeller causes the boat to be propelled along the water, thecombination comprising a pump housing surrounding the propeller, saidhousing comprising complementary halves, one said half comprising agenerally flat portion and a curved peripheral portion and having anopening located generally centrally thereof, the other said halfcompris- 6 ing a multiplicity of curved sections which interengage toform a frusto-conical surface, said halves having interengaging surfacesto thereby define a hollow housing having a configuration similar to thesolid of revolution generated by the rotation of the propeller, theinnermost edge of said half which defines a frusto-conical surface beingspaced from the propeller such as to provide an inlet opening, saidouter half having a peripheral lip extending generally radiallyoutwardly from the curved peripheral portion, and said curved sectionswhich form the inner half being provided with an inwardly turnedrimadapted to engage the lip on said outer half, and a bracket formounting said pump housing on the drive housing of the engine.

16. In an outboard motor adapted to be mounted on the side of a boat orthe like and comprising a small internal combustion engine, a housingprojecting downwardly from said engine when the engine is mounted on theboat, a propeller mounted on the lower end of the housing and includinga hub and vanes projecting generally radially outwardly from the hub,the configuration of said vanes being such that rotation of thepropeller causes the boat to be propelled along the water, thecombination comprising a pump housing surrounding the propeller, saidhousing comprisingcomplementary halves, one said half comprising agenerally flat portion and a curved peripheral portion, the other saidhalf having a frusto-conical surface, said halves having interengagingsurfaces to thereby define a hollow housing having a configurationsimilar to the solid of revolution generated by rotation of thepropeller, said housing being substantially imperforate and having aninlet opening generally axially thereof on the forward side of thepropeller, an outlet opening along the periphery thereof, and means formounting said housing in position surrounding said propeller.

. 17. In an outboard motor adapted to be mounted on the side of a boator the like and comprising a small internal combustion engine, a housingprojecting downwardly from said engine when the engine is mounted on theboat, a propeller mounted on the lower end of the housing and includinga hub and vanes projecting generally radially outwardly from the hub,the configuration of said vanes beingsuch that rotation of the propellercauses the boat to be propelled along the water, said engine having anexhaust pipe directing the exhaust gases of combustion toward one sideof the plane of rotation of the propeller, the combination comprising apump housing surrounding the propeller, said housing comprisingcomplementary halves, one said half comprising a generally fiat portionand a curved peripheral portion, the other said half comprising amultiplicity of curved sections which interengage to form afrusto-conical surface, said halves having interengaging surfaces tothereby define a hollow housing having a configuration similar to thesolid of revolution generated by the rotation of the propeller, theinnermost edge of said half which defines a frusto-conical surface beingspaced from the propeller such as to provide an inlet opening, and abracket for mounting said pump housing on the drive housing of theengine.

18. In an outboard motor adapted to be mounted on the side of a boat orthe like and comprising a small internal combustion engine, a housingprojecting downwardly from said engine when the engine is mounted on theboat, a propeller mounted on the lower end of the housing and includinga hub and vanes projecting generally radially outwardly from the hub,the configuration of said vanes being such that rotation of thepropeller causes the boat to be propelled along the water, said enginehaving an exhaust pipe directing the exhaust gases of combustion towardone side of the plane of rotation of the propeller, the combinationcomprising a pump housing surrounding the propeller, said housingcomprising complementary halves, one said half comprising a generallyfiat portion and a curved peripheral portion, the other said halfcomprising a multiplicity of curved sections which interengage to form afrusto-conical surface, said halves having interengaging surfaces tothereby define a hollow housing having a configuration similar to thesolid of revolution generated by the rotation of the propeller, theinnermost edge of said half which defines a frusto-conical surface beingspaced from the propeller such as to provide an inlet opening, saidouter half having a peripheral lip extending generally radiallyoutwardly from the curved peripheral portion, and said curved sectionswhich form the inner half being provided with an inwardly turned rimadapted to engage the lip on said outer half, and a bracket for mountingsaid pump housing on the drive housing of the engine.

19. In an outboard motor adapted to be mounted on the side of a boat orthe like and comprising a small internal combustion engine, a housingprojecting downwardly from said engine when the engine is mounted on theboat, a propeller mounted on the lower end of the housing and includinga hub and vanes projecting generally radially outwardly from the hub,the configuration of said vanes being such that rotation of thepropeller causes the boat to be propelled along the water, thecombination comprising a pump housing surrounding the propeller, saidhousing comprising complementary halves, one said half comprising agenerally fiat portion and a curved peripheral portion, the othersaidhalf comprising a multiplicity of curved sections which interengage toform a frusto-conical surface,said halves having interengaging surfacesto thereby define a hollow housing having a configuration similar to thesolid of revolution generated by the rotation of the propeller, theinnermost edge of said half which defines a frusto conical surface beingspaced from the propeller such as to provide an inlet opening, and abracket for mounting said pump housing on the drive housing of theengine.

20. In an outboard motor adapted to be mounted on the side of a boat orthe like and comprising a small internal combustion engine, a housingprojecting downwardly from said engine when the engine is mounted on theboat, a propeller mounted on the lower end of the housing and includinga hub and vanes projecting generally radially outwardly from the hub,the configuration of said vanes being such that rotation of thepropeller causes the boat to be propelled along the water, thecombination comprising a pump housing surrounding the propeller, saidhousing comprising a generally flat portion and a curved peripheralportion, the other said half comprising a multiplicity of curvedsections which interengage to form a frusto-conical surface, said halveshaving interengaging surfaces to thereby define a hollow housing havinga configuration similar to the solid of revolution generated by therotation of the propeller, the innermost edge of said half which definesa frusto-con-ical surface being spaced from the propeller such as toprovide an inlet opening, said outer half having a peripheral lipextending generally radially outwardly from the curved peripheralportion, and said curved sections which form the inner half beingprovided with an inwardly turned rim adapted to engage the lip on saidouter half, and a bracket for mounting said pump housing on the drivehousing of the engine.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS572,383 Smith Dec. 1, 1896 2,473,603 Miller June 21, 1949 2,551,371Grigg May 1, 1951 2,702,516 Tinker Feb. 22, 1955 2,733,679 WinkelmanFeb. 7, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 494,649 Germany Mar. 26, 1930

